Tibetan Yaks in America? Why yes, about 5,000 of them, and growing. Why yaks? They are the most versatile animal whether you operate a retreat with livestock or plan to Get out of Dodge (G.O.O.D.)
Yaks can be yoked to pull for logging, farming, or transport. They can pack upwards of 250 pounds which I believe is more than llamas, donkeys or most horses. This is great if you want to carry a yurt or hunt elk and want to pack it out instead of dressing out in the field. Yaks can be ridden like horses and basically fill the same niche as an ox or riding steer. They are much more intelligent than cows and are almost as intelligent as smart horses.
They are also loyal and protective guard animals, but are quiet (making only an occasional low grunting sound) when stealth is required and they lay down quietly during the night. They are genetically programmed to be able to successfully defend against wolves and dogs. They have gorgeous large curved horns and hooves that are extremely accurate and precise in finding their target. They are spirited and easygoing, looking like giant horned long-haired bunnies leaping, spinning, and racing around the field.
They are of medium size for a bovine with cows maxing out at about 900 pounds and steers or bulls maxing out at about 1,500 pounds. They can be crossed with other cattle to produce much larger animals due to hybrid vigor. However, bigger isn’t always better and while a pureblood yak eats only about 1% of its body weight per day (1,000 pound yak will eat 10 pounds of hay), a hybrid, depending on whether its ½, ¼, 1/8, etc. will eat 3-to-8% of its body weight per day similar to other cattle. They need only regular pasture grass and grass hay and a mineral block. Grain (wet COB , oats, calf manna, etc.) should only be fed occasionally as a training tool and treat. Don’t feed them alfalfa. Its too rich for them and they have an increased chance of bloating.
Yaks very seldom have the birthing problems of the modern cow. They will calve unassisted in the field. Sometimes you may have to go looking for the calf depending on your set up. Occasionally the cows don’t show and you end up with surprise calves.
Yak meat has a delicious and delicate beef-like flavor. It is very low in fat as the fat layer is put down on the outside of the carcass and is easily trimmed off. It is deep red in color, high in protein and Omega 3 fatty acids, and low in calories, saturated fats, cholesterol and triglycerides. [JWR Adds: Yak beef has the lowest cholesterol of any beef variety, while yak milk has one of the highest butterfat contents. What a great combination for prepared families that want make butter!]
Their milk has a high fat content and makes exceptional butter, cheese, and even ice cream. The traditional Tibetan methods of preparation and storage without refrigeration takes a bit of getting used to for the Western palate, but worth trying to prepare for the time when refrigeration may not be easy to come by.
Yak fiber is comparable to cashmere or angora. It is the downy undercoat that sheds off during the spring and can be combed out, collected and processed. The courser outer hair or ‘guard hair’ on the legs, mane, and belly can be used to weave tents, ropes, and belts. There is also the hide, and leather which can be tanned in yak butter, horn, and bone which can be made into many very useful and durable products.
Their manure is more valuable than gold, in my opinion. It is great fertilizer, doesn’t have a foul odor at all and can be dried burned as fuel straight into the wood stove, or become methane fuel in a biodigester.
I have less than 10 acres outside of Salem, Oregon and two acres are fenced pasture for the yaks, so far. I have three yaks right now – Tashi and Misha are my heifers, and Mouse is my bull. They’ll be two years old in September when I can start training them to ride. I have them trained in the yoke and have recently started adding more weight. Yaks will need between 3 and 5 sizes of yokes during their lifetime.
I’ve been using Tashi and Mouse to pull down fallen trees out of my “forest” I don’t have the resources yet to get a wagon and some working ox-drawn farming implements but I’m working toward that. The yaks are coming along well with packing too especially now that I have wooden pack saddles and tack and saddle bags made from yak guard hair and yak leather tanned in yak butter. When my yaks were calves, finding dog backpacks and later llama packs was difficult for me. For some reason packs were scarce at the time. Now the packs are everywhere.
It is best to start training almost from day one. Get them used to being touched all over, brushed, and bathed. Make these positive experiences. I got my three when they were 3 and 5 months old which is just fine if you establish a good bond and train consistently. You and your team/herd will progress much faster. I had some problems surrounding work and a 2 hour commute and wasn’t as consistent with my training as I should have been. Fortunately my yaks’ intelligence and our strong bond made it possible for us to make up for lost time.
Patience, persistence, consistency, discipline, and kindness are the keys to success. While yaks can be very cuddly and sweet, as with any bovine you must make sure they know who’s boss and remind them. You must never mistreat them or make them afraid. However, you must ensure that they never even think to challenge you or get away from you. If they are allowed to do that too often then it will be much harder for you to get them to do what you want them to do. A well placed tap to the knees or head with a stick, is usually all it takes to remind them if they get out of line.
Whether you yoke them or pack with them or not you need to teach them the basic commands – Git up (move forward), Back up, Whoa, Gee (go right), Haw (go left). Combine these verbal commands with consistent hand signals until the yaks will follow either verbal or hand signals. Then you will be able to command your yaks when silence is necessary.
Yaks, once trained, are very dependable on the road. They are a hit at parades. So if you decide to G.O.O.D. when TSHTF the yaks are naturals to carry your equipment and supplies. They can be driven as is traditionally done in Tibet, or they can be led on a halter and rope. They are fine with caravanning too, but they may jostle one another more than other pack animals. So just be aware if that happens and either work with them to minimize that or pack accordingly. My personal preference is to keep their spirited nature intact. There is a bit more risk, but you end up with a more alert and intelligent animal
There are some valuable resources available resources out there such as www.IYAK.org , www.tillersinternational.org, www.ridingsteers.com , www.ruralheritage.com , www.springbrookranch.com, www.prairieoxdrovers.com/ and www.berrybrookoxsupply.com. In September, my own site www.oxzenacres.com will be up and running where you can check up on the progress of my little yak herd.